Rhuematoid diseases consists of over a 100 specific conditions. They do, however, have commonalities. While they generally affect joints, the muscle may also be involved. Those that involve the muscles are called inflammatory myopathies.

Topical analgesics would be used by people who can not take oral pain relievers or who continue having pain after taking them. The most common medicines are counterirritants, slicylates, and capsaicin.

Nonateroidal anti-inflammaatory drugs (NSAIDS) may also be used. However, an individual that does have lymphedema should be careful about using them as edema is a listed possible complication from them. I and a number of others with lymhpedema have actually had that Happen to them. Also, NSAIDs can cause stomach irritation or, less often, they can affect kidney function. The longer a person uses NSAIDs, the more likely he or she is to have side effects, ranging from mild to serious

Pain medication may be required, diuretics may be prescribed for the swelling. If the swelling has become permanent, that is then called lymphedema.

Finally, another form of treatment is coming into vogue today and that is the use of nutrients to help. In actuality, the role of a diet in rheumatic diseases is not well understood and there is no real clinical evidence that any specific diet can actually help.

Other medicines that may be used include Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), Biologic response modifiers (genetically engineered drugs that block specific molecular pathways of the immune system that are involved in the inflammatory process.), Corticosteroids, and Hyaluronic acid substitutes.

The same warning for lymphedema patients includes corticosteroids as well. These include prednisone, cortisone, solumedrol, and hydrocortisone. Edema is a listed complication and could seriously affect any selling you have.

•These include Anthroscopic surgery – surgery to view the joint using a thin lighted scope inserted through a small incision over the joint. If repair is needed, tools may be inserted through additional small incisions.

•Bone fusion – surgery in which joint surfaces are removed from the ends of two bones that form a joint. The bones are then held together with screws until they grow together forming one rigid unit.

•Osteotomy – a surgery in which a section of bone is removed to improve the positioning of a joint.

•Arthroplasty – also known as total joint replacement. This procedure removes and replaces the damaged joint with an artificial one.

In the listings, there will be numerous links so that you will be able to learn more about the specific condition you are dealing with.

List of Rheumataoid Disease

This list is no where near complete.

Arthritis

This the most common type of arthritis, affecting an estimated 27 million adults in the United States. Osteoarthritis affects both the cartilage, which is the tissue that cushions the ends of bones within the joint, as well as the underlying bone. In osteo¬arthritis, there is damage to the cartilage, which begins to fray and may wear away entirely. There is also damage to the bond stock of the joint. Osteoarthritis can cause joint pain and stiffness. Disability results most often when the disease affects the spine and the weight-bearing joints (the knees and hips).

Bursitis

This condition involves inflammation of the bursae, small, fluid-filled sacs that help reduce friction between bones and other moving structures in the joints. The inflammation may result from arthritis in the joint or injury or infection of the bursae. Bursitis produces pain and tenderness and may limit the movement of nearby joints.

Enteropathic Arthritis

Enteropathic arthritis is most commonly found in those with an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) — namely ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Roughly 10 to 15 percent of individuals with IBD develop this type of arthritis, known to cause pain in the back and swollen joints. While the connection between intestinal disorders and joint inflammation is unclear, researchers speculate that inflammation in the bowel may contribute.

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis is the most common form of arthritis in childhood, causing pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of function of the joints. This condition may be associated with rashes or fevers and may affect ¬various parts of the body.

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that ¬causes pain throughout the tissues that support and move the bones and joints. Pain, stiffness, and localized tender points occur in the muscles and tendons, particularly those of the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips. Patients also may experience fatigue and sleep disturbances. Fibromyalia affects millions of adults in the United States.

Gout

This type of arthritis results from deposits of needle-like crystals of uric acid in the joints. The crystals cause episodic inflammation, swelling, and pain in the affected joint, which is often the big toe. An estimated 2.1 million Americans have gout.

Infectious arthritis

Infectious arthritis is the general term used to describe forms of arthritis that are caused by infectious agents, such as bacteria or viruses. Parvovirus arthritis and gonococcal arthritis are examples of infectious arthritis. Arthritis symptoms also may occur in Lyme disease, which is caused by a bacterial infection following the bite of certain ticks. In those cases of arthritis caused by bacteria, early diagnosis and treatment with antibiotics are crucial to removing the infection and minimizing damage to the joints.

Polymyalgia rheumatica

Because this polymyalgia rheumatica involves tendons, muscles, ligaments, and tissues around the joint, symptoms often include pain, aching, and morning stiffness in the shoulders, hips, neck, and lower back. It is sometimes the first sign of giant cell arteritis, a disease of the arteries characterized by headaches, inflammation, weakness, weight loss, and fever.

Polymyositis

This rheumatic disease causes inflammation and weakness in the muscles. The disease may affect the whole body and cause disability. Polymyositis

Psoriatic arthritis

This form of arthritis occurs in some patients with psoriasis, a scaling skin disorder. Psoriatic arthritis often affects the joints at the ends of the fingers and toes and is accompanied by changes in the fingernails and toenails. Back pain may occur if the spine is involved.
See our page Lymphedema and Psoriatic Arthritis for detailed information on its relationship to lymphedema.

Reactive Arthritis

Reactive arthritis also known as Reiter's syndrome, reactive arthritis is a rare but painful arthritis caused by an infection that triggers arthritis in your joints. Mostly found in sexually active males between the ages of 20 and 40, Reiter's syndrome has been linked to chlamydia, shigella, gonorrhea, campylobacter, and salmonella. There's also a genetic factor, as many individuals with reactive arthritis have the HLA-B27 gene.

Rheumatoid arthritis

This inflammatory disease of the immune system targets first the synovium, or lining of the joint, resulting in pain, stiffness, swelling, joint damage, and loss of function of the joints. Inflammation most often affects joints of the hands and feet and tends to be symmetrical (occurring equally on both sides of the body). This symmetry helps distinguish rheumatoid arthritis from other forms of the disease. About 0.6 percent of the U.S. population (about 1.3 million people) has rheumatoid arthritis.
For information on how this type of arthritis relates to lymphedema, please see our page: Lymphedema and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Scleroderma

Also known as systemic sclerosis, scleroderma means literally “hard skin.” The disease affects the skin, blood vessels, and joints. It may also affect internal organs, such as the lungs and kidneys. In scleroderma, there is an abnormal and excessive production of collagen (a fiber-like protein) in the skin and internal organs.

Sjogren's Syndrome

Sjogren's (SHOW-grins) syndrome is a disorder of your immune system identified by its two most common symptoms — dry eyes and a dry mouth.

Sjogren's syndrome often accompanies other immune-system disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. In Sjogren's syndrome, the mucous membranes and moisture-secreting glands of your eyes and mouth are usually affected first — resulting in decreased production of tears and saliva.
Although you can develop Sjogren's syndrome at any age, most people are older than 40 at the time of diagnosis. The condition is much more common in women. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms, which often subside with time. (2)

Spondyloarthropathies

The spondyloarthropathies group of rheumatic diseases principally affects the spine. One common form – ankylosing spondylitis – also may affect the hips, shoulders, and knees. The tendons and ¬ligaments around the bones and joints become inflamed, resulting in pain and stiffness. Ankylosing spondylitis tends to affect people in late adolescence or early adulthood. Reactive arthritis is another spondyloarthropathy. It develops after an infection involving the lower urinary tract, bowel, or other organ. It is commonly associated with eye problems, skin rashes, and mouth sores.

Systemic lupus erythematosus

Systemic lupus erythematosus (also known as lupus or SLE) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system harms the body’s own healthy cells and tissues. This can result in inflammation of and damage to the joints, skin, kidneys, heart, lungs, blood vessels, and brain. By conservative estimates, lupus affects about 150,000 people.

Tendonitis (tendinitis)

This condition refers to inflammation of tendons (tough cords of tissue that connect muscle to bone) caused by overuse, injury, or a rheumatic condition. Tendinitis produces pain and tenderness and may restrict movement of nearby joints. (1)